Increasing Blood Oxygen Saturation following 6 minutes’ Walk Test in Healthy Human Volunteers with Coca erythroxylon 6CH and Vanadium metallicum 6CH: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Pilot Trial

• Published in: Journal of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences University Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 319 - 324
• Main Authors: Mandal, Dibyendu, Ansary, Samiul, Gunin, Amit, Saha, Subhranil, Midya, Ayan, Das, Suhisna, Mukherjee, Shyamal Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2024
• ISSN: 0974-3901; 2250-1231
• DOI: 10.4103/jdmimsu.jdmimsu_173_24

Abstract Background: Oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) is an essential component during patient care and management because a variety of acute negative consequences on specific organs and systems can result from hypoxemia. Aim and Objective: The effects of two homeopathic medicines, Coca erythroxylon 6CH and Vanadium metallicum 6CH, were explored against placebos on blood SpO 2 following a 6-min walk test (6MWT) in apparently healthy human volunteers after 3 days of intervention. Subjects and Methods: A 3-day, randomized (1:1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted on 60 healthy human volunteers. Participants were randomized to Coca erythroxylon ( n = 20), Vanadium metallicum ( n = 20), and identical-looking placebos ( n = 20). Blood SpO 2 % (primary), peak expiratory flow (PEF; mL), and breath holding timing (s) were measured at baseline once preintervention and postintervention and again before and after a 6MWT. Interventions were administered 4 times a day for 3 consecutive days. Group differences were estimated using a one-way analysis of variance. Significance levels were set at P < 0.05 two-tailed. Results: Statistically significant differences in pre- and postintervention mean changes were observed in blood SpO 2 % in the Coca erythroxylon group in comparison with the others ( F 2,57 = 3.815, P = 0.028); however, no such significant differences could be observed in PEF and breath holding time. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Coca erythroxylon significantly increased blood SpO 2 % following a 6MWT in healthy human volunteers. It is necessary to conduct definitive trials to validate the findings. Trial Registration: CTRI/2022/08/044810; UTN: U1111-1281-3263.